Chapter 118: The Autumn Examination Approaches

“It’s still the same dosage as before, three pills a day. When you run out, Your Lordship can come ask me for more. If there is any reaction, please note it down and come back to see me for a follow-u...Meng Jin Yao rarely set foot in the study, today she had nothing to do and was a bit bored, so she went into the study to find a book to pass the time.

Weiruixuan's study was much smaller than the one in the front courtyard, and there weren't as many books, but she could still find a travelogue that she could get into.

After a long while, Qing Qiu pushed open the door and came in, then closed it again. She saw her sitting at her desk reading, so she walked over to her side and whispered, "Madam, there's new news from Yongchang Bo's mansion."

Meng Jinyao didn't raise her head, her gaze fixed on the book. She asked casually, "How is it"

Qing Qiu replied, “Yesterday at broad daylight, Sun Shi was in a daze and saw a maid whose back looked just like your mother. She was so frightened that she suddenly screamed in shock. Afterwards, she ordered the maid to be transferred to do laundry work and not appear before her.”

Hearing this, Meng Jin Yao paused her flipping of the book and chuckled with a hint of mockery, "Someone who has done something wrong is actually so afraid of ghosts"

"People say if you don't do anything wrong during the day, you won't be afraid of ghosts knocking on your door at night. But if you do too many wrong things, you'll be afraid even during the day. The more you think about it, the more afraid you become," Qing Qiu said, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Madam, did you know that Mrs. Sun went to the Wangsheng Hall in Lingyun Temple today"

Meng Jin yao's face turned pale for a moment, then she sneered. Her mother's tablet was enshrined in the Hall of the Afterlife at Lingyun Temple. Was Mrs. Sun so terrified that she wanted to repent before her mother's tablet She had done all the wrong things and now only repented It was too late.

In a moment, she asked again: "By the way, did she startle anyone else in the household yesterday when she saw that maid scream"

Qingqiu replied, "Only the second young lady knows, but the second young lady didn't think much of it. She just thought she hadn't rested well and was irritable, nothing more. After all, she has been a bit irritable lately.

Meng Jinyao's voice was laced with regret: "That is truly a pity."

Qīngqiū comforted her and said, "My lady, even if she covers it up tightly, what use is it Paper can't contain fire after all. She's like a frightened bird right now, suffering every day. Sooner or later, she will be exposed."

Meng Jin Yao twitched the corner of her mouth and said lightly, “Tell Qiao Grandma to continue acting according to the original plan. If necessary, whisper in Sun Shi’s ear, and by that day I expect to see a satisfactory result.”

Autumn's arrival echoes in the stillness.

Shouantang.

Now it's the beginning of August 8th, and the Qiu Wei (Imperial Examinations) will begin on August 9th. There will be three exams in total: the first on the 9th, the second on the 12th, and the third on the 15th.

Tomorrow is the day of the autumn examination. Three children from our family are taking it, and the elders are very nervous, but they try to appear calm so that the younger generations won't get nervous too.

The three Gu brothers, Gu Jingxi included, were going on duty. Even though the eldest brother, Gu Jingsheng, only had an honorary position, he still had to report for duty. After the brothers paid their respects to the matriarch, they went on duty. The rest of the women and younger generations remained in Shou'an Hall.

Mrs. Gu said a few encouraging words to her three grandsons, and told them not to put too much pressure on themselves. They were all still young and could just treat it as a way to gain experience.

Gu Xiuyuan, Gu Xiuhong, and Gu Xiuming all readily agreed, but the three brothers wore different expressions. Gu Xiuyuan appeared somewhat nervous, Gu Xiuhong remained calm as if he didn't take the Qiu Wei exam seriously, only focusing on participating, while Gu Xiuming was the only one among the three who seemed confident.

Meng Jinyao's gaze swept across the three brothers' faces, finally landing on Gu Xiuming. Seeing the confidence in his eyebrows and eyes, she couldn't help but wonder where he got his confidence. Even Gu Xiuhong, the best student among the brothers, didn't have this kind of confidence.

Speaking of this, Old Madam Gu turned her gaze to Zhang Shi again and said, "Eldest daughter-in-law, besides Xiu Yuan taking the Autumn Examination, Xuan Yi's marriage is also approaching. There are only half a month left, so you have to get ready as well."

Zhang said softly, "Mother, please rest assured, everything is being prepared. Second younger sister and third younger sister are also helping with the arrangements."

Madam Gu nodded. "That's good then, the guest list for the banquet also needs to be checked three times, lest there be any omissions, otherwise it won't look good at that time."

Chang replied, “Yes, Mother.”

After leaving Shouantang, Meng Jin Yao followed Zhang Shi's side to help. She had been helping Zhang Shi for the past few days. It didn't matter if she was doing menial tasks; after all, she had no experience. This was a good opportunity to learn. Otherwise, when they split their family, she would be on her own managing these affairs, and she was afraid she would be flustered.

Zhang Shi saw how Gu Jingxi and Old Madam Gu treated Meng Jin Yao, so she didn't dare to be perfunctory. She was afraid of upsetting the two of them, so when Meng Jin Yao humbly asked for advice, she would teach seriously.

And Chen was not to be outdone, she would also chime in with a few pointers for Meng Jin Yao from the sidelines.

The relationship between the three sisters-in-law is surprisingly harmonious.

Zhang Shi handed the guest list to Meng Jin Yao, saying softly, "By the way, third younger sister, take a good look at this list and get familiar with some of Gu Family's relatives and friends. The people at the front of the list are those who have a close relationship with the Gu Family, as well as Gu Family's relatives. Those in the middle are acquaintances, and those at the end are distant relatives whom you can invite or not. However, considering past relationships, we invited all of them to this important event of a daughter's wedding."

Meng Jinyao took the list and prepared to take it back later to have a good look.

Zhang sighed several times.

Meng Jinyao, hearing her sighs and sobs, asked, "Sister-in-law, is something troubling you"

Zhang was deeply troubled: "Xuan Yi's disposition, marrying into the Duke of Wuan's residence, who knows how much she'll suffer. It's a pity that she's so innocent and carefree, happily oblivious to the trouble ahead."

Since things have come to this, the wedding date has already been set. It's a done deal. Unless something unexpected happens, the wedding will take place on the 25th of this month. Meng Jin Yao didn't know what to say, so she could only comfort her, "Sister-in-law, when the boat reaches the bridge, it naturally goes straight. The Wuan Bo Mansion has a complex family environment, but with the support of the Changxing Hou Mansion, they wouldn't dare to openly bully Xuanyi."

On the side, Chen shi unusually didn't belittle Zhang shi at this moment, and comforted her with a smile: "Sister-in-law, what Third Sister said is right. The daughters of Changxing Houfu wouldn't dare to openly bully someone. Just rest assured. Even if Xuyan marries there and suffers some losses, how bad could it be Learn from one setback and grow wiser. Slowly, she will make progress."

Chen said, then changed the subject: "Xuan Yi's wedding is still half a month away, so don't worry about it. Tomorrow is the autumn exam, sister-in-law, why don't you focus on preparing for Yuan first Yuan's wife is pregnant and fell a couple of days ago, moving her fetus. Now she is bedridden and resting. Since Yuan's wife can't personally prepare things for the examination hall, sister-in-law, please get everything ready for Yuan first."

When Zhang heard this, her attention was truly diverted. She said, "I'm lucky that my younger sister-in-law reminded me; I almost forgot about it. I'll go prepare what Xiu Yuan needs to take into the examination hall tomorrow. Excuse me for now."

Chen replied, “Go ahead, big sister-in-law. I have to prepare for Xiuhong too.”

Both sisters-in-law left, and Meng Jinyao went straight back to Weiruixuan. As for making things for Gu Xiuming as a mother-in-law, she had no interest in it. Even if she prepared them, Gu Xiuming wouldn't dare to use them.

She took out the guest list and looked it over carefully.

When she saw the Yongchang Marquis' mansion, she narrowed her eyes slightly. Some things still needed to be postponed. She had to let Lady Sun have a few days of peace first. On such auspicious occasions for others, Lady Sun couldn't possibly ruin things carelessly.haven't had time to concern myself with my family matters. When is their wedding date"Song Xining replied, "I heard it's set for early April, but I didn't look into the specific date."Meng Jin Yao nod...